Dust separator



ILGLMS maaar Sept. 28 926.

R. RUEMELJN DUST SEPARATOR Filed Nov. 2. 1922 Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

RICHARD RUEMELIN, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

DUSTl SEPARATOR.

'Application led November 2, 1922. Serial Np. 598,683.

My invention relates to an apparatus for separating or removing, oatingdust, grit, sand or other particles heavier than air from thetransportlng air current, .such air current being transmitted inside ofpiping, or ducts to the separator under pressure or vacuum created by a:tan or blower.

`A further object is to recover such dust in an enclosed hopper andprevent the escape of this dust into the surrounding atmosphere, whereit will ca'use unsanitary working conditions for workmen or persons, orvdamage to buildings, machinery or property, especially in foundries orindustries where they operate machinery generating dust of a gritty ordestructive nature. A further object is to permit locating the separatorbetween the source of dust generation and the exhaust fan, so that thefan `handles only cleaned air and is thus not eX- posed to the severewear caused by handling gritty dust laden air.

A further object is to prevent considerable wear on the inside surfacesof the separator when handling gritty air, as the air currents uponentering the separator are immediately -p expanded, thereby causingalovt7 velocity of air and depositing of the heavier grit particles.

' A futher object is to combine in one apparatus with modifications aseparator adapted for the recovery`of both the heavy and all floatingdust, and a separator recov- .ering 'onl the heavier dust.

A furt er ob'ect is to cause separation of yall dust ,particles bycentrifugal force, eX-

pansion, low velocity, and by filtration through screens all in oneapparatus.

A further object is tocause separation in this apparatus withmodifications so that only the heavier dust particles are recovered.

A further object is the simple and flexible c support for the dustscreens and a means for removing the accumulated dust particles from allsuch screens.

A further object is to remove all heavy and most of the grittyA dustparticles from the air currents before such air currents reach thescreens, thereby considerably reducing, wear on screens, less dustaccumulation on screens, less shaking required to keep ythem clean, anda possibility of rel'ucing the area of the screens and their cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detaileddescription.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation along the line 1-1 in Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a sectional end elevation along the line 2 2 in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a. sectional plan elevation along the line 3-3 in Figure 1;v

Figures 4 and 5 show several methods of fasteningv the screens to thebottom plate; Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation showing a modifiedseparator when omitting the screens;

Figure 7 shows a diagram in which the separator is subjected to a vacuumcreate by an exhaust fan.

In the drawing 1 represents the outer walls or casing of theseparator,the bottom walls of this casing converging and forming ahopper 21 for the accumulation of precipitated dust or sand particles,said hopper having at its apex the dust chute 2 and a spout opening 3for the discharge of precipitated dust or sand. The swinging door 4hinged at 37 automatically opens to discharge when there is sufficientpressure, caused by the Weight of the accumulated dust in hopper 21 andautomatically closes when the hopper is drained to avoid the escape orentry of air through this door. The partition walls 5 and 6 togetherwith the casing walls 1 form an incicsed-wedge shaped expansion andcentrifugal separating chamber 18..

The delectors for the dust laden air may be supported stationary as 7 oradjustably as shown by 8 for the regulation of dus! separation and airlow through the port 19; the deilector 8 and the adjusting level 9 beingkeyed to the hinge shafts 10,-,adjustment of lever 9 being obtained bythe lever pin 11 engaging any of the holes 12 in the stationary-segments 13.

Precipitated dust or sand inside of the chamber 18 is drained into thehopper 21 through the narrow slot or opening 14, this opening beingelongated by the shield 38 in order to reduce the velocity offsuch sandparticles. Dust laden air is transmitted by suction or pressure from thesource of dust generation 43 through suitable piping 47 and enters thewedge shaped chamber 18 of the separator through the pipe 15. The aircurrent upon entering the upper portion of this chamber is expanded ducto the enlarged area, thereby causing a reduction in its velocity offlow. The air current in passing from chamber 18 to expansion chamberslll 52-53-20 is compelled to make a sharp bend upon entering the ports19, thus producing centrifugal action. Due to the lowy velocity of theair currents and its centrifugal action practically all dust particlesheavier than air are forced into the apex ot the wedge chamber andprecipitated. Vilhile the air current passes from the expansion chambers52 and 53 into chamber 20, suitable dif'users 16 and 16l diffuse ordistribute the air current so as to produce a uniform velocity of theair throughout these chambers, and also avoiding a whirling or shortcircuit action.

The surface of these diusers may be made fiat as shown in 16 orcorrugated as shown by 16a or any other suitable shape. When thesediftusers are formed similar to 16a, additional dust separation isobtained on account of the heavier dust particles losing their velocitywhen entering the pocket formed in the apex of the diverging sides ofthe blades. The dust laden air current travels horizontally atcomparatively low velocity through the enlarged expansion chambers 52-53and 20, and on account of this low velocity a considerable amount of itssuspended dust is deposited in theudust hopper 21.' ln order to cause afurther separation of the line floating dust particles, the dust ladenair current is compelled to pass through the flat screen 22 and the bagscreen 23, causing the dust particles to be deposited on the surface ofthese screens, while the clean air enters the clean air chamber 51.

The screen surfaces are preferably made of cloth, although othermaterials may be used for this purpose. The clean air chamber 51 is anenclosed compartment formed by the walls 1 of the casing 'on threesides, the bottom plate 24e on the bottom and the flat screen 22 onthe'front. The bottom plate 2a is provided with openings 25 for theentry of t e dust laden air currents as shown by 42 and 2a or othersuitable method tor attaching the screen bags to this plate, therebyforming positive connection for the bags. lfi flexible suspension forthe screen bags 23 is provided by the adjustable suspension rods 26 withnuts 27 supported on casing 1, the bars 33 attached inside ot the bags23 being provided with springs 28 supported by rods 26. ln order toprevent choking of the bag screen surfaces due to dcposited dust it isnecessary that such dust be removed occasionally by shaking the bags land causing such dust to be deposited in the hopper 21. By slidingconnections, the vi-k brator rod 29 engages all the suspension rods 26.rEhe bags 23 are given a quick lateral, or sidewise vibration, when therod 29 is caused to reciprocate by the rotation of cam or eccentric 30;rotation of cam 30 being obtained by the electric motor 31 with itsextended shaft 32. Other suitable means may be employed for shaking thebags for the removal of dust deposited on their surfaces. The cleanedair is withdrawn from the chamber 51 through the exhaust pipe 34. Whenusing an exhaust ian for the air current, opening 3a is connected bysuitable piping 16 to exhaust fan 44; and the air exhausted through ventpipe 15. To prevent the mixture of heavy dust deposited in chamber 18with the light weight dust particles in hopper 21, the opening 14 maybeprovided with the hinged or adjustable shield 88, having a dust chute2a, spout opening 3, and a swing ing door da, hinged at 37a, for theseparate discharge of heavy dustor sand.

When operating conditions do not require the separation or recovery ofall the lioating or lightest weight dust, the screens 22 and 23 may beomitted. The partition walls 39-39 and casing walls 1 form the enclosedwedge-shaped expansion and centrifugal separation chamber 49, thischamber being provided with delector 48 for the air port 40, and havinga dust discharge opening 41. A manhole 17 having handles 50 is providedfor access to the interior of the casing 1.

l claim as my invention:

1. A dust separator comprising a casing having a sand chamber in thelower portion thereof, and an intake opening in the upper portion, acentrifugal separating chamber pravided at one side of said casing andcom muai'cating with said intake opening, a separating means arranged inthe upper portion of said casing to receive the air moving horizon-tallyfrom said centrifugal separator, and a screen in the upper portion oisaid casing opposite said chamber whercto the hori Zontally movingcurrents of air are delivered.

2. A dust separator comprising a casing having a sand chamber in thelower portion thereof, and an intake opening for the dust and sand ladenair in the upper portion, a separating chamber within said housingcommunicating with said air intake opening and having a wall extending:from the top of said casing to a point adjacent a side wall thereof andseparated therefrom by a narro vv discharge opening through which theprecipitated sand may iiow into said sand chamber, said chamber wallhaving an air discharge opening the wall of said casing on the oppositeside thereof from said chamber having an air exhaust opening and air dittusers depending within said casing between the wall ot said separatingchamber and said air discharge opening.

3. A separator comprising a casing having a sand collecting chamber inthe lower portion thereof, an intake for the dust and sand laden air,said casing having an air chamber in its upper portion communicatingwith said air intake opening and provided in its lower walls with anarrow discharge opening through which the precipitated sand may flow bygravity into said sand chamber,

the upper walls of said air chamber having air discharge passages andmeans for compelling the air to follow a tortuous path therethrough, thewall of said casing onthe other side thereof from said air chamberhaving an air discharge opening, and air diffasers depending within saidcasing between said tortuous air passages and said air dischargeopening.

4. A separator comprising a casing having a sand chamber in its lowerportion, the upper portion of said casing having oppositely arranged airintake and discharge openings, an air chamber communicating with saidair intake opening and having aport in its lower walls, forthe dischargeof the precipitated sand therein, the upper portions of sai'l airchamber having 'air discharge passages, an upright air screening'deviceprovided adjacent said discharge opening on the' other side of saidCasing from said air chamber, and through which the a1r must pass to Isaid opening, and means between said screening device and saidair'chamber for compelling the air discharged from saidchalnber tofollow a tortuous path before reaching said screening device. j Y

' 5. A separator comprising a casing having a sandcollecting chamber inthe lower portion thereof, and air intake and discharge openingsoppositely arranged in the upper portions thereof, an air chamberprovided in said casing adjacent to and communieating with said airintake opening, and having a discharge passage at its lower end for theflow of sand intovsaid sand chamber, the inner walls of said air chambernear the top of said casing having air discharge passages, a screeningdevice adjacent saiddischarge opening and comprising a screen 'throughwhich the air must pass before reaching said discharge opening, and dustcollectlng sacks provided between said screen and said dischargeopening.

6. A dust separator comprising a casing ing screens above said sandchamber and through which the currents of air must pass before reachingsaid discharge opening.

7. A dust separator comprising a'casing having an intake opening in itstop, a wall depending from said to'p t0 a point adjacent a side wall ofsaid casing and spaced therefrom to form a sand discharge opening, saidwall and the opposite wall of said casing forming a separating chambercommunicating with said ninlet opening, said chamber Wal having anopening therein anda valve for regulating the iow of air through saidopening into said casing, baiiies depending from said top adjacent saidseparating chamber and compelling the air to follow a tortuous paththerein, a wall of said casing remote from said inlet opening having anair discharge opening and a screen device located between said airdischarge opening and said baiies substantially as described.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of October1922.

RICHARD RUEMELIN.

